What is the term for when gases enter the bloodstream due to a damaged lung?

The term for when gases enter the bloodstream due to a damaged lung is arterial gas embolism. This condition occurs when gas bubbles, often from a burst alveolus or other lung injury, enter the vascular system. These bubbles can travel through the bloodstream and cause serious complications, such as blockage of blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow to tissues and potentially resulting in organ damage.

In this situation, the significant concern is how these gas bubbles can interfere with normal circulation and oxygen delivery to organs, which is crucial for sustaining life. An understanding of arterial gas embolism is vital for emergency medical technicians, as recognized symptoms and timely intervention can prevent severe outcomes.

In contrast, a pneumothorax involves air entering the pleural space due to lung damage, which can lead to lung collapse but does not typically result in gas entering the bloodstream. Hemothorax pertains to blood accumulation in the pleural cavity, often resulting from trauma, and pulmonary edema refers to fluid accumulation in the lungs, commonly due to heart failure. Each of these conditions presents its own challenges, but they do not involve the direct entry of gas into the bloodstream as arterial gas embolism does.